Japanese punters to bet on The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois
DEAUVILLE BARRIERE MEETING - Deauville-La Touques racecourse
France Galop and PMU® are delighted to announce that the Japan Racing Association (JRA) will offer Japanese punters the opportunity to bet on the The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois, which will take place on Sunday, 16 August, at Deauville.
This follows the JRA’s unusually early confirmation, just days ago, that it would offer betting on the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The renewed opportunity for Japanese punters to bet on this prestigious race confirms the enduring interest of the world’s largest horseracing betting market, in terms of turnover, in France’s major races. It reflects the joint efforts of France Galop and PMU® to strengthen their longstanding relationship with Japan wile meeting the JRA ‘s stringent requirements.
The presence of top-class Japanese contenders was a key factor in securing approval from the Japanese authorities to offer betting on the race. To date, two Japanese horses are expected to feature in the line-up: Sixpence will be partnered by Yutaka Take, while Strauss will be ridden by João Moreira.
« We are delighted to once again welcome runners who have travelled especially from Japan to take part in one of the flagship races of the Deauville Barrière Meeting. It is a testament to the exceptional quality of its sporting programme and is the result of our ongoing collaboration with the Japan Racing Association », says Henri Pouret, Deputy Managing Director of France Galop, in charge of international affairs. « The presence of these top-class horses demonstrates the growing confidence of Japanese owners in French racing and our shared commitment to develop exchanges between France and Japan. »
Aymeric Verlet, International Director of PMU® adds: « This latest opportunity for Japanese punters to engage with French racing further strengthens our position in the Japanese market and demonstrates the value of our partnership strategy with the JRA. The Deauville Barrière Meeting is becoming an unmissable event for racing fans in Japan. »
Following the JRA’s recent announcement that the list of French races eligible for Japanese betting would be expanded from 3 to 16, the international profile of France’s most prestigious Flat races is set to grow even stronger.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, 15 August, the JRA will sponsor the JRA Prix Alec Head (Prix de Pomone), reinforcing its presence at the heart of the Deauville Barrière Meeting. As part of the weekend’s key events, a press conference with connections will take place at 10.30 am on Friday, 14 August at the Deauville racecourse.